Patent GB-379351-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to stock quotation and like signalling systems
IPC: H04L12/18
Filed: 1931-05-28
Abstract: 379,351. Electric signalling systems. BERRY, R. J., Telephone Building, The Hyde, Hendon, London.-(International Communications Laboratories, Inc. ; 67, Broad Street, New York, U.S.A.) May 28, 1931, No. 15612. [Class 40 (i).] In a stock quotation or like signalling system a group of signal combinations received over a signalling channel effects the selection of one of a plurality of groups of display indicators, and the selection in a register mechanism of one of a plurality of stop members in each of a series of rotatable controlling means corresponding in number to the group of display indicators, the rotation of the controlling means controlling transmitted currents to effect the rotation of the display indicators in the selected groups. In the arrangement shown, which can be understood more readily by the arrangement of Figs. 1 .. 6 as indicated in Fig. 32, signals are transmitted over the line L by means of a perforated tape 1 co-operating with fingers F1 .. F5 which are adapted to be connected to segments 11 .. 15 of a distributer SD. This distributer is adapted to be rotated at the same speed as that of a receiving distributer RD, both distributers being normally held from rotation by detent armatures of start magnets 6, 26, which are energized when a group of perforations on the tape 1 is engaged by the fingers F1 .. F5. The distributers thus released make one revolution before being stopped, and segments on the distributer RD are earthed successively and selectively in accordance with the arrangement of the group of perforations transmitting the signal. The segments are connected to contactor arms of sectors 51 .. 55 of a switch D. As the distributer RD rotates, a cam 60 acts to close contacts 61, 62, whereby the switch arm of sector 56 is earthed, and the switch magnet SM1 steps to the next step on the arm 28 being relatched. The contacts of the switch D are connected, as shown, to permutation relays Pl .. P7. With the switch in the position shown, transmission of a signal corresponding to one of the perforation groups or digits C1 .. C31 causes corresponding marking of the segments of the distributer RD and corresponding energization of magents 81 .. 85 of the permutation relay P1. The armatures of these magnets are attached to code bars 91 .. 95 which are notched corresponding to the groups of perforations C1 .. C31 in the tape 1. Thirtyone transverse plunger bars 101 .. 131 are spaced across the code bars, and the arrangement is such that upon energization of the magnets in accordance with a signal, the code bars are shifted longitudinally to effect alignment of notches, one on each bar, and form a continuous slot whereby one of the sets of contacts 141 .. 171 is closed. A circuit is then complete from earth on line 63 through line 186, magnet 187, and one of the sets of contacts 141 .. 171, to grounded battery through a path formed over one series of the stop magnets of switches S1 .. S31. The magnet 187 acts to cause the selected sets of contacts to remain closed until a trip relay 185 is energized, Transmission of a second signal causes the operation of relay P2 in a manner similar to that of relay P1. A circuit is then complete from earth to grounded battery through line 63, line 186, magnet 197, a selected pair of contacts in the group 211 .. 241, an associated relay and clutch magnet, for example 685, and a master relay and clutch magnet 687. The magnets 685, 687 act to position the switch arm 676 and complete a circuit through trip relay 185 and stock relay 697. The trip relay releases relays P1, P2 which return to normal positions. Relay 697 controls the indicators of the stock being quoted. Transmission of a third signal operates relay P3, which is provided for selecting, through the operation of a shelf relay, a shelf or lateral row in the indicators of the selected stock, the shelves being six in number denoting, respectively, close, open, high, low, and last quotations and the quantity of stock sold. Further signals operate relays P4 .. P7. Relay P4 determines in a quotation the fractions to be indicated, P5 the units, P6 the tens, and P7 the hundreds. For a complete quotation, the maximum number of signals required is seven, each one controlling the operation of a permutation relay, but a quotation may be concluded following reception of either one of the fourth, fifth, and sixth signals by the provision of a terminating relay TR which acts to step the magnet SM1 to normal position. The items of a quotation are registered in one of a number of register groups RG1 RG2, &c. which control the operation of the display indicators. Following registration on one of the groups, a switch RS, by means of magnet SM2, is caused to step to advance its contact arms to the next group. The magnet SM2 remains energized until the completion of a quotation and disconnection of ground from conductor 63, whereupon the switch RS advances one step. Each register group ocntains four register translator units F, U, T, H as shown in Fig. 3, for registering, respectively, fractions, units, tens, and hundreds of a quotation. Construction of register translator unit, Figs. 3, 7, 8 and 13. A bracket 500 is apertured to receive solenoids 525.. 535, each having a plunger with a rotatable ball at its end which is adapted for engagement in a stop bore 538 formed in a stop disc 537. The disc is slidably connected to a shaft 503, but insulated therefrom and is normally pressed by a spring 546 towards the bracket 500 and away from a contactor brush 547 connected to earth. A second contactor brush 548 engages an insulated portion 552 on the disc when the latter is in normal position and a conducting portion 551 when the disc is shifted laterally against the spring 546. In operation, earth potential to line, for example 489, over an operated permutation relay completes a circuit to a solenoid 525, whereby the plunger thrusts its ball against the disc 537, thereby completing a circuit through brushes 547, 548. This circuit includes a clutch relay 549, which operates to cause shaft 503 to be rotated, the disc 537 also being rotated, until the ball on the solenoid plunger enters the bore 538, whereupon the circuit of the clutch relay is opened, and also a locking circuit for the solenoid 525 through brush 547. The shaft 503 carries brushes 561, 562 insulated from each other and from the shaft and contacting with a rheostat 560 provided with conductors 573, 574, 575 adapted to be connected to the field windings of display motors. Energization of the clutch relay 549 to establish rotation of the shaft 503 connects grounded battery to brush 572 leading to brush 562 while the brush 571 leading to brush 561 is earthed. Construction of selector switches, Figs. 4, 15, and 18. A bracket 600 preferably of insulating material carries solenoids 605, 606, &c., and corresponding contact segments 641, 642, &c. A rotatably-mounted shaft 603 passing through an aperture in the bracket carries a disc 673 formed with a stop aperture in which one of the plungers of the solenoids may engage and provided with a contactor brush 676 adapted for engagement with the segments 641, &c. The brush 676 is in circuit with a brush 681 fixed to the bracket 600 and engaging a clamping ring 683. In operation, a circuit is completed over operated relay P1 to energize a solenoid on each of the switches S1 .. S31. The second signal of the stock selection operates relay P2 to complete a circuit through its operated contacts, for example, 211, the winding of a combined relay and clutch magnet 685 of a clutch 686 individual to the switch S1, the winding of magnet 687 of a main clutch 688, thence to grounded battery over normally closed inertia contacts 689. Clutch 688 operates a shaft 691 and clutch 686 enables shaft 691 to operate shaft 603 and rotate the arm 676 and the disc 673. The latter rotates until its stop aperture is engaged by the plunger of the energized solenoid. The shaft 603 is then arrested, locking shaft 691 under lippage of the main clutch. The shaft 691 carries inertia contacts 689, 692, the former opening momentarily on the arrest of the shaft, whereby clutch magnets 685, 687 are deenergized. The contacts 692 are open while the shaft 691 is in motion but when it is stopped the contacts close to energize the trip relay 185 and a stock selection relay 697. Construction of inertia contacts, Figs. 20 and 21. A spring 711 is fixed at one end to a ring 709 rotatable with, but insulated from, the shaft 691, the other end of the spring carrying a weight 713 and normally making contact with a shoulder 702 on a bracket 700. A brush 715 makes contact with the ring 709 to provide a connection to an exterior circuit, another conductor being connected to the bracket 700. As the shaft 691 rotates in a clockwise direction, the spring 711 makes contact with the shoulder 702 until sudden arrest of the shaft causes such contact to be broken momentarily. Movement of the shaft in a counterclockwise direction causes the free end of the spring 711 to be lifted away from the shoulder 702. In a modified construction, the spring is normally out of contact with the shoulder, and the arrangement is such that, on counterclockwise rotation of the shaft, contact between the spring and shoulder continues open until sudden arrest of the shaft causes a momentary closure. Construction of display indicators, Figs. 6, 23, and 25. An iron core 750 is provided with three magnetizing coils 751, 752, 753 with conductors 754, 755, 756, which are connected through an operated shelf relay to conductors 573, 574, 575 of a transmitter rheostat, as shown in Fig. 13. The coils influence an armature 758 which carries a winding energized in a circuit including operated contacts of the shelf relay. A display drum 772 with characters printed thereon is connected to the armature and is provided with indents co-operating with a " click " pawl for retaining the